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NAC Annual Convention
July 24-27, 2010
Houston

Special Registration Offers

Pre-convention Educational Sessions

NAC President's Convention Scholarship Program

NAC Silent Auction

Convention Sponsors

Sponsorship Opportunities

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Educational Sessions

NAC Convention educational programs will offer quality information you can take back to your concessions operation. The cross-pollination of ideas shared among operators of many types of venues, along with their suppliers, can fuel new ideas for your business.

NAC's highly-regarded Concession Manager Certification Program and Executive Concession Manager Certification Program will also be offered prior to the start of the Annual Convention. The certification programs are a separate registration and fee from the convention educational sessions.

What's On the Menu?

NAC educational sessions at the 2010 Annual Convention will encompass all aspects of recreation and leisure-time foodservice operations - a full menu, so to speak.

Sessions will include large group presentations with interactive elements, panel discussions by industry leaders, and small group free-form discussions on issues specific to concession operations.

Convention attendees come from all types of operations - small facilities, large in-house operations and major foodservice contractors. In that diversity is a wealth of knowledge that is specific to food and beverage concessions.

Whatever the format, nowhere else can you find the breadth and depth of information that directly relates to food and beverage operations, all in one location. Along with the stellar presenters at the sessions, the sharing of ideas among other operators and suppliers can provide you with ideas on increasing profits and controlling costs.

2010 educational sessions include:

Sunday:

Keynote Presentation:  Garrison Wynn
As a speaker, advisor, and professional entertainer, Garrison Wynn has worked with some of the world’s most effective corporate leaders and business developers. His presentations contain powerful information on communications, change and success that are applicable to everyone. Humor is truth, only faster. By blending his funny, real-life stories and current original business research, Wynn educates, motivates and entertains. And he’s not just funny; he’s funny with the facts. His research on what the most successful people actually do day-to-day reveals a beyond-best-practices approach that builds and leverages relationships while turning talent into performance.

He has a background in manufacturing, entertainment, telecommunications and financial services. He began his career as a sales and marketing person in a branch office of a Fortune 500 company at age 24, and three years later was the youngest corporate department head in the company’s history.

An experienced actor in films and a former professional stand-up comedian, he has hosted television specials and national radio programs, His new top-selling book blends a decade of research and Garrison’s candid, laugh-out-loud delivery to finally spill The Real Truth About Success. His additional writing credits include business journal articles and weekly contributions to The Washington Post.

BONUS: Each full convention registrant will receive a copy of Garrison’s book, The Real Truth About Success!




Employee Retention: How to Keep Them – and Keep them Working!
Hanging on to and motivating employees can be as difficult as finding them in the first place. This panel discussion, which will include keynote speaker Garrison Wynn, will offer ideas on employee motivation and retention, particularly when dealing with a younger workforce.

Panelists:

  • Gina Troutman DiSanto, CCM, CEO, Cinema Centers
  • Paul Kisel, CCM, park superintendent, Texas State Parks
  • Garrison Wynn, Wynn Solutions

 

Conducting An Operational Audit
Determining how to use equipment, employees and resources efficiently and economically is the goal of every concession operation. Reviewing and auditing procedures, space, equipment use and employee practices can increase efficiency, profit, and speed. A panel of operators and suppliers will discuss how to evaluate operational effectiveness.

Panelists:

  • Chris Bigelow, CFSP, President, Bigelow Companies
  • Philip Couch, Senior Manager, Strategic Partnership Marketing, The Coca-Cola Company
  • Bruce Proctor, ECM, President, Proctor Companies
  • Wally Helton, ECM, Director, Food & Beverage Merchandising & Promotions, Cinemark USA

Monday:

Legal Issues Facing the Food & Beverage Industry
Menu labeling, transfats, taxes, obesity issues and a host of other legislative matters may impact your food and beverage operation. This panel presentation will discuss current, future and pending issues, and what they mean to your business.

Panelists:

  • Todd Halstead, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, National Association of Theatre Owners
  • Linda Hofflander, Strategic Partner, Wireless Ronin Technologies

Venue Breakout Sessions
Our highest-rated sessions each year, these are highly interactive sessions where operators at specific types of venues, such as movie theatres or stadiums/arenas/convention centers engage in an exchange of ideas and information. Sessions are moderated by leading industry operators, and interaction is mandatory!

Tuesday:

The Booze Factor: Tips, Hints & Pointers on Alcohol Service in your Operation
Alcohol service is making its way into many non-traditional areas of foodservice. While it can be profitable, there are also issues and obstacles, such as local/state laws and restrictions, ongoing employee training, liability issues and legal hurdles. A panel of veteran concessionaires will share their background, knowledge, and experiences with adding and managing alcohol service.

Panelists:

  • Terry Conlon, ECM, Director of Concessions, Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Illinois
  • Joe Joyce, CCM, Assistant Director of Retail Sales, PlayouseSquare
  • Lee Pitts, executive director of operations, Movie Tavern
  • John Rinkenberger, CCM, Assistant Director of Hospitality Management, University of Illinois Assembly Hall

Venue Breakout Sessions
The second set of these interactive sessions will again provide operators with the chance to share information and gather new ideas from their peers.

Venue Tours
Convention registrants will be taken on tours of two foodservice operations - the Toyota Center and Movie Tavern. The Toyota Center is located directly behind the Hilton Americas Hotel, and is home to the NBA Houston Rockets basketball team. Foodservice operator Levy Restaurants will provide lunch and a tour of the foodservice facilities. The second tour wil be at Movie Tavern, an upscale, in-theatre dining facility with a full bar and lounge.